Although not typically in the forefront, backup singers or backing vocalists are an integral part of many live performances. They mostly provide vocal harmony for the song and at times counter melodies and vocal lead-ins to support the lead singer. Becoming a backup singer can be an avenue for singers to propel their careers. Singers like Whitney Houston, Elton John and Cher all used to be background singers before they became superstars. Although they might not earn as much as lead singers, depending on the scale of their performance, backup singers can make a good living.
Backup singers must be highly skilled in vocal harmonies and have a good musical ear. Some are also lead singers in other projects and are highly experienced singers. Backup singers can earn average salaries of nearly $40,000 per year.
Income and Qualifications
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the hourly wage for musicians and singers is $ 37.51 per hour as of May 2018. One thing to take note of is that the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide annual salaries for singers due to the inconsistency of employment for singers. Though, ziprecruiter.com lists the majority of backup singer’s salaries ranging between $36,500 to $86,000 across the United States.
In terms of qualifications, becoming a backup singer doesn’t require a post secondary degree. However, it is important that the singer has vocal experience and adequate vocal training, especially for singing harmony and ear training. Other important qualities include musical talent, discipline, stage experience, teamwork, and physical stamina.
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Income by Geographical Area
Also the location of hire and years of experience does play a big part in the salary. Some markets like Las Vegas, NV will have a higher average salary due to it’s high demand for backup singers.
In 2018, the average incomes for professional backup singers varied by U.S. region.
The 5 highest paying states for backup singers are:
| State Employment | Hourly Mean Wage |
| 1) Nevada | $43.65 |
| 2) Massachusetts | $43.18 |
| 3) New York | $42.38 |
| 4) West Virginia | $41.77 |
| 5) South Carolina | $40.97 |
Contributing Factors
Backup singers likely earn more as they gain more experience in the field. For example, a backup singer with 10 years experience can qualify for higher paying live performances than one with less than 5 years of experience. Also, the size of the show, the company that’s hosting and music director can have an effect on salaries. Bigger household bands or singers typically have bigger budgets for paying their singers. Backup singers may also earn more in popular areas known for their music productions, theatres and record labels such as New york, Nevada and Los Angeles for instance.
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Job Outlook
Usually, singer jobs can be correlated with the economy and whether it is thriving or not. Music productions often rely on ticket sales, corporate sponsors and even viewership numbers to make a profit. If the economy is improving, backup singers and musicians as a whole will prove to greatly benefit as more opportunities will be available due to the higher disposable incomes in consumer spending.
Final thoughts
Deciding to become a backup singer is a great way to earn an income while doing something that you love. Once a backup singer has a few years of experience, it can pay pretty well compared to independent featured singers.
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